Life as an adult is tough. After a long week of work or school, sometimes it’s nice to spend the night in with close friends. For some, this means there’s a few cold beers chilling in the fridge, or getting ready to uncork a new bottle of wine. But instead of drinking the nights away, consider shelving the alcohol for later occasions, and throw tea parties instead. You heard me right: tea parties.
Photo courtesy of pinterest.com
We’re so busy adulting we’ve forgotten to take part in some of the greater pleasures that we had as children. Although you may have had to trade in your Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels for a blazer and some legal paper, you don’t have to say goodbye to the days of innocent fun. Whether you choose to put together a fancy spread or throw tea bags into some mugs and call it a night, here are six reasons you’re never too old for tea parties.
1. The Morning After
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
Let’s start by addressing the obvious – drinking tea in place of booze is less harmful to the body, in more ways than one. While both beverages act as stimulants, what with alcohol being alcohol and tea containing caffeine, the former comes with a lot more consequences. With tea, you don’t have to worry about over-drinking and feeling the pangs of a hangover the morning after.
2. When You Have the “Munchies”
Photo courtesy of coffeecuphouse.co.uk
Two words: tea snacks. There’s just something so dainty yet satisfying about them. From tiny finger sandwiches and fresh fruit, to shortbread cookies and mini tarts, indulge yourself in something sweet or savory to munch on with your cup of tea. Put down the margarita mix, shelve the solo cups and highball glasses for another evening, get to work on some delicious finger foods instead.
3. Relive Your Inner Child
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
When I hear the phrase, “tea parties,” I immediately think of small children or elderly folks, not young adults or new professionals. You may be wondering, but why do they have tea parties in the first place? Simply put: to enjoy themselves. Whether or not you’ve actually hosted a tea party with your imaginary best friends, let yourself enjoy some silly or serious moments with some friends around a cup of freshly steeped tea.
4. Work or Study-Stress Reducer
Photo by Lauren Lamm
Tea parties don’t always have to be made into a party, as contradictory as that may sound. When I’m studying with friends, I like to enjoy a cup of tea. We pile a plate full of store-bought cookies and steep a pot to share. As it turns out, when you’re hard at work, one of the best things you could be doing is having some tea if the situation permits. Tea has been proven to relieve fatigue and improve mood and performance. It may even boost memory and cognition in the long run.
5. Pleasant Conversation
Photo courtesy of harrypotter.wikia.com
On the days where you get to kick back and relax, a tea party might be exactly what you need. I find that great conversation usually arises when I’m sitting at the dining table or living room sofa with a tea cup in hand, chatting with some friends.
Sometimes, we’re talking about something serious or intellectually engaging. Other times, we’re laughing about something off-beat and kind of ridiculous. As I mentioned before, although caffeine is a stimulant, tea offers you the right amount of buzz while putting your mind at ease.
6. Heart Health
Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com
According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, as well as many articles before them, incorporating tea into your daily diet yields healthful benefits in the long run. Tea is a source of dietary flavanoids, compounds found naturally in the plant that act as antioxidants in our bodies.
While you’re sipping away, they’re helping you protect your arteries from free radicals and decreasing your chances of getting cardiovascular disease, something you should definitely worry about with age.
So swap your boxed wine for some boxed teas, grab a few friends and a few snacks and party on.
Gif courtesy of giphy.com